Navigate:

Opinion Contributor

5 reasons GOP should avoid immigration trap

The author says Republicans should not buy into Obama's plan. | AP Photo

By REP. LAMAR SMITH | 2/13/13 10:00 PM EST

Before deciding what to do about immigration, Republicans should first decide what not to do. They should not buy in to the Obama/liberal Democrats’ plan to legalize every person who is in the country illegally.

Republicans do need to make progress with Hispanic voters. But immigration is exactly the wrong subject to use to attract Hispanic support.

Text Size

First, when Hispanics themselves are asked what issues they care most about, they usually list immigration fifth. The economy and jobs both rate much higher.

Some argue that how Republicans talk about immigration scares away Hispanic voters. Regrettably, they are right. But the answer is to discuss immigration in a different way, not give amnesty to millions of people in the country illegally.

Republicans should emphasize that America already admits 1 million legal immigrants every year, more than all other countries combined. That generosity should continue. Immigrants strengthen our nation, contribute to our economy and set a daily example for how to achieve the American dream.

Second, Republicans should focus on what Hispanics care about: better financial security — more take-home pay, more job opportunities and a stronger economy. That also happens to be a winning formula for all Americans.

Under the Obama administration, Hispanics’ family income has dropped and unemployment is higher than the national average and economic growth has slowed to a crawl. Republicans should address these issues by favoring low taxes, reducing the government’s debt and creating more private-sector jobs.

Third, legalizing everyone who is in the country illegally (amnesty) sends the wrong message to legal immigrants and to would-be immigrants waiting in line. They played by the rules, waited their turn (sometimes years) and came in the right way.

To reward those who broke the law says to the law-abiding, “You were dumb to wait. Why didn’t you enter illegally?” That’s why a legalization program would increase illegal immigration.

Fourth, some say a legalization program would enable Republicans to “put the immigration issue behind us.” But Republicans are never going to see it in the rear-view mirror. Does anyone really think Republicans are going to outbid Democrats on giving benefits to illegal immigrants?